Method and apparatus for heating



y 5, 1939. H. H. METCALF 2,167,122

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR HEATING Filed April 18, 1958 3 Sheets-Sheet 1INVENTOR HM Metcalf 'ORNEY y 1939 H. H. METCALF 2,167,122

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR HEATING Filed April 18, 1958 5 Sheets-Sheet 2FEE--3 w 1 \Tj '0 LINE g Fits-.4-

INVENTOR H.H.Metcal A ORNEY July 25, 1939. H. METCALF 2,167,122 METHODAND APPARATUS FOR HEATING Filed April 18, 1958 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 lla 5 353 I YO/QZ a //\(///v/l//l A II ////I////////// -INVENTOR H.H.Metc'alf BY(P 61.0%":

ATTORNEY Patented July 2 5, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE or toMetcalf Manufacturing (30.,

Battle Creek, Mich., a corporation of Michigan Application April 18,1938, Serial No. 202,633

Claims.

The present invention relates broadly to heating and ventilating, and inits specific phases relates to methods of and apparatus for heating andventilating by the use of electricity.

Accordingly, among the objects of the present invention is the provisionof an electric heating apparatus adapted for use in transmitting heatsimultaneously by reflection and by a current of heated air whichalternates in direction of flow over the heat emitting portion of saidapparatus.

Another object is to provide a mechanism having a plurality ofstationary heaters adapted to r heat a gaseous fluid, and means adaptedto change the direction of flow of such gaseous fluid relative to saidheaters.

Another object is to provide a mechanism hav ing a plurality ofstationary heaters adapted to heat air, and an oscillating fan adaptedto circulate said heated air.

Another object is to provide a mechanism with stationary reflectorheaters set at a forwardly directed converging angle, and provided withan oscillating fan between same,

Another object is to provide a heating mechanism having two heatingelements with an oscillating fan mounted therebetween, a shield beingprovided to protect the fan motor from being injuriously heated by theheating elements of the mechanism.

Another object is to provide stationary reflector electric heaters withan oscillating fan set therebetween in manner such that as the fanoscillates from side to side, each heater will alternately pre-heat andthen super-heat the air being moved by the fan.

A further object is to provide a mechanism of the character describedwhich uses the front opening of same for both intake and discharge of agaseous fluid such as air, the points of intake and discharge reversingas the fan oscillates from side to side.

A further object is to provide a new method of heating air or othergaseous fluid.

A still further object is to provide a mechanism which is attractive,easy to construct, simple to operate, and has a high efficiency.

Still further objects and advantages will appear as the descriptionproceeds.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, the invention,then, consists of the methods and means hereinafter fully described andparticularly pointed out in the claims, the annexed drawings and thefollowing description setting forth in detail certain means and modes ofcarrying out the invention, such disclosed means and modes illustrating,however, but several of various ways in which the principle of theinvention may be used.

In said annexed drawings:

Figure 1 is a partially sectioned view of a preferred form of themechanism of the present invention as taken along the line l-l of Figure2.

Figure 2 is a front elevation view of one form of the mechanism shown inFigure 1.

Figure 3 is a rear elevation view of a modified form of the mechanismshown in Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a partially sectioned view of one form of the mechanism astaken along the line i4 of Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a wiring diagram illustrating one way that the heaters andfan may be connected with a thermostat for automatic control.

Figure 6 is a top view of part of the central portion of a modified formof the present invention as taken along line 66 of Figure 7.

Figure '7 is a partially sectioned assembly view taken along line 'll ofFigure 6, with added details,

The apparatus of the present invention, in the specific formsillustrated, is adapted for use as an electric heating device for directoperation within a room, or the like, in which it is desired to raisethe temperature with or without admitting cold fresh air.

For purposes of illustration, one form of the apparatus of the presentinvention is shown in Figure 1 as comprising two stationary reflectortype electric heaters with a horizontally oscillating fan therebetween,the heaters and fan preferably being mounted so that their centers layapproximately on a horizontal plane. With this construction, when thefan is oscillated completely to one side, it will draw air across thefront of one of the electric heaters, thus preheating the air which isthen delivered past the front of the other electric heater where it issuper-heated. When the fan is oscillated to the opposite side, theheater which previously acted as a pre-heater for air will now be asuperheater for the air pre-heated by the electric heater which formerlywas a super-heater. A modified construction for accomplishing this endwith a stationary fan and a deflecting vane is shown in Figure 6.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, Figure 1 shows a cabinet Iwhich may be of metal or other suitable cabinet material, as isdiagrammatically indicated by the cross-hatching. This cabinet in onepreferred form has mounted therein two stationary reflector typeelectric heaters 2 and 3. Each of these heaters is provided with asocket 4 adapted to receive an electric resistance heating element 5.Mounted between the electric heaters 2 and 3 is an oscillating elec tricfan 5 which has a motor I and fan blades 8. The fan 6 is pivotallymounted on a suitable support 9 and is provided with an oscillatingmechanism ID.

To protect the fan motor 1 from heat radiated by heaters 2 and 3, asubstantially bowl-shaped member I I with slot I2 for the fan shaft I3is provided. The back of this bowl-shaped member I I is preferably leftopen so that the fan motor I is exposed to the relatively cool air atthe back of cabinet I. Where the cabinet I is made of wood, it may, ifdesired, be provided with an asbestos lining I4.

The fan 6, as shown in Figure 4, may be provided with a special mountingto permit adjustment so that the amount of oscillation on each side ofcenter will be the same. This may be readily accomplished by providingbowl-shaped member II with a socket member I6 into which the support 9will suitably fit and which may be held in place by means of a bolt andnut I1 and a washer I8. The fan 6 may be adjusted to the desiredposition and then stud I9 tightened to fasten the support 9 in place.Instead of having the fan 6 mounted on the special support 9, themechanism may be arranged as shown in Figure 3 for the use of aconventional electric fan mounted on a tall support or pedestal 9a withconventional oscillating mechanism [a.

The reflector type electric heaters 2 and 3 may be set at variouspositions, but in preferred construction, they are set so as to provideforwardly directed converging beams of radiated heat.

' Where the reflectors of electric heaters 2 and 3 are set so that theythrow converging beams, then a preferred setting of same is attainedwhen the front face of each of the reflectors makes an angle rangingbetween 15 and 45 with the front face of the cabinet I. A preferredspecific combination involves the setting of the reflectors at an angleof 30 with the front face of the cabinet I as shown in Figure 1. It isto be understood that the invention is not limited to the use of suchspecific angles, but rather broadly to the use of heaters set in anyposition adapted to accomplish the objects of the present invention, andthe showing in the drawings is to be considered as diagrammaticallyillustrating any of the various operable settings of the reflectors.

When the reflector type electric heaters 2 and 3 are set with convergingbeams as shown in Figure 1 and at an angle of 30 with the front face ofcabinet I, a 60 angle of oscillation of the electric fan 6 is highlysatisfactory. It is to be understood, however, that the angle ofoscillation may be varied over a wide range without departing from thespirit of the invention.

Referring to Figure 1, it will be noted that the electric fan 6 has beenshown in solid lines at one extreme of oscillation and in dotted linesat the other. With the fan 6 in the position shown in solid lines, itwill draw air across the front of electric heater 3 where it will bepre-heated. The direct stream of this pre-heated air delivered by thefan blades 8 will pass in front of the heating element of heater 2 wheresame will be superheated. The passing of air in front of the heaterelement 5 instead of directly over it presents the advantages ofreducing oxidation of the heating element 5, practically eliminatesdevitalizing the air, and at the same time increases the efficiency ofthe apparatus by avoiding chilling heating element 5, a thing whichwould interfere with starting the reflected heat beam at a substantiallymaximum temperature intensity. The air delivered by fan 6 through theheat beams is heated thereby, but does not deflect same from theircourse.

The front of cabinet I, covered by grill 20, may be of completely openconstruction, but normally it is preferable to reduce the size of theopening so that it is slightly narrower than the height of the electricheaters 2 and 3 and at the same time shortened so that its end edges 23and 2d let air enter and leave the cabinet I at points where the beam ofreflected heat is relatively hot. With 10 inch reflectors, for instance,the end edges 23 and 24, as shown in Figure 1, would preferably beextended inward to block off about one and one-half inches of the outeredge of the reflector portion of heaters 2 and 3, as viewed from aposition perpendicular to the front of each reflector. Tests indicatethat by doing this, the temperature of the air delivered by themechanism is not only higher, but the efficiency of the mechanism as awhole is improved.

The present apparatus involves a new method of heating in that eachheater serves in the alternating capacity of being a pre-heater, then asuper-heater, again a pre-heater, et cetera, as will be hereinafterdescribed in detail. Another feature of the invention is that the frontface of the cabinet I simultaneously acts as an inlet for relativelycold air and also as an outlet for heated air. The passage of air intocabinet I and then out again alternates in direction from side to sideinstep with the oscillation of fan 6. To reduce eddying of air as itpasses in and out of cabinet I, a horizontal grill may be provided. In apreferred construction this grill 2!! is formed with vanes 2! setedgewise to the normal direction of flow of air into and out of cabinetI under influence of fan 6. A convenient size for each of the vanes H isinch thick and 1 inch wide, although the invention is not limited tosuch dimensions. The grill 20 may be fastened to the front of cabinet Iin conventional manner, for instance, by means of rods 22.

The vanes mounted on the front edge of the cabinet may, if desired, bepivoted so as to direct the flow of air upward, downward, or otherwise.One form of this construction is shown in Figure '7 where the vanes 2 laare pivoted to the cabinet by suitable hinges 39. The vanes 2Ia may alsobe provided with hinges 40 which connect same to a rod or like vaneconnector II. Pivoted to the upper end of vane connector 4| is a link42, or the equivalent, adapted for fastening in conventional manner to asuitable anchor member 43 mounted on the front face of cabinet Ia. Thismechanism permits the vanes 2Ia to be inclined at various angles andanchored in place.

The apparatus may be connected to an electric power line in variousconventional ways. One typical construction is shown in Figure 5 wherethe heating elements 5 and electric fan 6 are shown as thermostaticallycontrolled. The operation of such system is as follows: Electric currentis delivered by the power line to a conventional transformer and relayunit 25. This unit 25 has a transformer which delivers low voltagecurrent to a thermostat 26. The unit 25 also has a relay which isoperated by means of current delivered by the transformer through thether mostat 28 and is adapted to connect heating elements 5 and fan 6 tothe power line circuit when the thermostat 26 calls for heat. In use themechanism containing heaters 5 and fan 6 is placed in a room or the liketo be heated and the thermostat mounted at a suitable location in thesame room. Then with the thermostatically controlled mechanism connectedto the power line and the thermostat set at the desired temperature, itwill automatically turn on the heating mechanism when heat is required,and turn it off again when the desired temperature has been reached.

The operation of the mechanism shown in Figure 1 is as follows: With theelectric heaters 2 and 3 and fan 6 in operation, then when the fan 6 isin the position shown in solid lines in Figure 1, it is drawing air intothe cabnet I at the front left edge thereof in manner such that the airflows past the front of electric heater 3 where such air is pre-heated.This air is then delivered by fan blades 8 past the front of electricheater 2 where the air is super-heated and delivered through the rightfront face of the cabinet i. When the fan has oscillated to the otherextreme, which is shown in dotted lines, then electric heater 2 will actas a pre-heater for the air, while electric heater 3 will super-heat it.It is to be noted that under operating conditions as the fan oscillatesfrom side to side, each heater serves in the alternating capacity ofbeing a pre-heater, then a super-heater, again a pre-heater, et cetera.With the electric heaters 2 and 3 set at a converging angle, the centerof the beams of heat will meet at a point I 5 in front of cabinet I, andwhen the two heaters are symmetrically set in the cabinet and at thesame angle, the two beams will meet at a point directly in front of thecenter of cabinet I. The distance that this point of meeting is from thecabinet will depend upon the angle at which the electric heaters areset. The intersection of the large cross-section beams of heat rays infront of the cabinet I produces a large super-heated area through whichthe fan 6 directs a stream of heated air over a large portion of itstravel. The fact that the point of convergence I5 of the heating beams,and the area surrounding same, is exceptionaly hot is taken advantage ofby the present apparatus in the following manner: When the fan 6 passesfrom one extreme position to the other, the stream of air delivered bythe fan over a large portion of its travel will pass directly throughthe super-heated area surrounding the point of convergence I5 of thebeams of heat delivered by electric heaters 2 and 3. Under conditionswhere the fan is delivering air through the point of convergence I5,both of the heaters 2 and 3 will act as pre-heaters for the air beingdrawn into the cabinet I from both sides and then delivered by the fan6. Since this air is being drawn into the cabinet I from both sidesinstead of only one, it will flow past heaters 2 and 3 at a lowervelocity and will be delivered by the fan 6 at a higher pre-heatedtemperature than it would if it passed over only one heater and at ahigher velocity. This pre-heated air is then blown through thesuper-heated area at the point of convergence I5 of the beams of heatfrom heaters 2 and 3 where it is further heated. Air which has beenpre-heated and super-heated, accordingly, is delivered by the apparatusas a whole during the complete range of oscillation of the fan.

Instead of using an oscillating fan to direct air or other gaseous fluidinto pre-heating and then super-heating position, this may beaccomplished in other ways. For instance, as shown in Figures 6 and 'l,a stationary mounted fan 6a may be used. The cabinet Ia with thisconstruction is made deeper so as to accommodate the oscillation of avertically pivoted vane 2?. This vane is preferably mounted directly infront of fan blades 8 and pivoted approximately at the mid-point of itsupper and lower edges. The vane 21 may be made of metal or othermaterial,

but in preferable construction it is made out of glass and provided withpivot carrying edge strips 28 and 29. The construction of vane 21 out ofglass permits heat rays to pass therethrough and thus maintain thecomplete super-heated area at the point of convergence of the heat raysradiated by reflector type electric heaters 2 and 3. Pivot studs 36 and3| mounted on said edge strips 28 and 29 are adapted to engage upper andlower bracket members 32 and 33 in manner permitting oscillation of vane27 in conventional manner. For instance, the fan 6a may be provided witha mechanism 34 of similar nature to that utilized by oscillating fans,except that it extends upward and has a somewhat larger rotating disc 35with pivot member 36. A link 31 joins pivot member 35 on the disc 35with a pivot member 38 mounted on arm member 28a on the upper edge ofvane 27 so that as disc 35 rotates, the vane 21' will be oscillated apredetermined amount. As shown in Figure 6, the operation of themechanism will permit oscillation of the vane 21 from the position shownin solid lines to the position shown in dotted lines. With the vane 21in the position shown in solid lines, then with the fan 6a in operation,the fan blades 8 will draw air across the front of electric heater 2where it will be pre-heated and then this air will be forwarded by fanblades 8 and the main portion thereof deflected by vane E'I' across thefront of electric heater 3, where such air will be super-heated. Theoscillation of vane 2'! to the dotted position will reverse the flow ofair so that electric heater 3 will act as a pre-heater, while electricheater 2 will be the super-heater.

Other modes of applying the principle of my invention may be employedinstead of those explained, change being made as regards the means andthe methods herein disclosed, provided those stated by any of thefollowing claims or their equivalent be employed.

I therefore particularly point out and distinct- 1y claim as myinvention:

1. The method of heating, which comprises using a source of heat incontinual succession for alternately pre-heating and then super-heatinga gaseous fluid flowing in continual heat absorbing relation with saidsource of heat.

2. The method of heating, which comprises flowing air in heat absorbingrelation with a source of heat, and continually reversing the directionof flow of said air relative to said source of heat.

3. The method of heating, which comprises continually reversing thedirection of flow of a gaseous fluid in heat absorbing relation with aplurality of sources of heat, and in continual succession, in step withsaid reversal of flow of said gaseous fluid, using each of said sourcesof heat alternately for pre-heating and then for super-heating thegaseous fluid.

4. The method of heating, which comprises continually reversing thedirection of flow of air in heat absorbing relation with a plurality ofsources of heat, guiding said air in and out of a common opening leadingto and from said sources of heat, and in continual succession using eachof said sources of heat alternately for pre-heating and then forsuper-heating air delivered thereto.

5. The method of heating, which comprises flowing air in heat absorbingrelation with a plurality of sources of heat, guiding said air in andout of a common passageway leading to and from said sources of heat,continually reversing the direction of flow of said air in heatabsorbing relation with said sources of heat, and in continualsuccession using each of said sources of heat alternately forpre-heating and then for super-heating air delivered thereto.

6. The method of heating which comprises flowing air in heat absorbingrelation with a plurality of beams of heat, directing said beams so thatthey intersect and cross to form a highly heated area, continuallyreversing the direction of flow of said air in heat absorbing relationwith said beams of heat, and using said highly heated area for furtherheating at least part of said air initially heated by said beams ofheat.

7. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination whichcomprises a plurality of heating means, and means to cause a gaseousfluid to alternately flow first in one direction and then anotherrelative to said heating means and in heat receiving relation therewith.

8. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination whichcomprises a plurality of heating means each adapted to produce a beam ofheat, and means adapted to cause a gaseous fluid to flow in heatabsorbing relation with said beams of heat, said last named means alsobeing adapted to reverse, in continual succession, the direction of flowof the gaseous fluid relative to said heating means.

9. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of acabinet, a plurality of heating means mounted in said cabinet andadapted for forwardly directing converging beams of heat rays, and a fanmounted between but adjacent to said heating means and adapted tooperate in manner such that it causes part of said heating means topre-heat air on its way to the fan and other of said heating means tosuper-heat the air delivered by the fan, said fan further being adaptedto reverse, in continual succession, the direction of flow of airrelative to said heaters.

10. In an apparatus of the character described for heating and flowing agaseous fluid, the combination which comprises a plurality of heatingmeans, a fan, and means in front of said fan for changing, in continualsuccession, the direction of flow of gaseous fluid delivered by said fanin continual heat receiving relation with said heating means.

11. In an electric heating apparatus, the combination which comprises apair of electric heating elements, a stationary fan mountedtherebetween, a vane pivotally mounted in front of said fan, and meansto oscillate said vane in manner such that it will direct the mainportion of the discharge from the fan first in heat absorbing relationwith one of said heating elements and then with the other.

12. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination whichcomprises a pair of heating elements, and an oscillating fan mountedtherebetween.

13. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination whichcomprises a pair of heating means adapted for forwardly directingconverging beams of heat rays, and an oscillating fan mounted betweenbut adjacent to said heating means and adapted to deliver air heated bysaid heating means.

14;. In an electric heating apparatus, the combination which comprises acabinet, a pair of reflector type electric heaters in said cabinet, andan oscillating fan mounted between and adjacent to said heaters, saidfan as it oscillates being adapted to blow air past first one heater andthen the other, in continual succession.

15. In an electric heating apparatus, the combination which comprises acabinet with open front, a pair of reflector type electric heaters insaid cabinet, means for mounting said electric heaters in said cabinetso that they throw converging beams of heat through the open front ofsaid cabinet, and substantially symmetrically relative thereto, anelectric fan mounted between and adjacent to said heaters, and means tocause the air delivered by said fan to flow past the front of first oneheater and then the other, in continual succession.

16. In an electric heating apparatus, the combination which comp-rises acabinet with open front, a pair of reflector type electric heaters insaid cabinet, means for mounting said electric heaters in said cabinetso that they throw substantially symmetrically converging beams of heatthrough the open front of said cabinet, both heaters being mounted at asubstantially like angle which lies in the range of between 15 and 45with the front face of the cabinet, an oscil lating fan mounted betweenand adjacent said heaters, said fan as it oscillates being adapted toblow air past first one heater and then the other, in continualsuccession, a grill on the open front of the cabinet to reduce eddyingand direct the flow of air in and out of the front of said cabinet underthe influence of said fan, and means for controlling the operation ofsaid heaters and fan.

17. In an electric heating apparatus, the combination which comprises acabinet, a pair of reflector type electric heaters in said cabinet, anoscillating fan mounted between and adjacent to said heaters, said fanas it oscillates being adapted to blow air past first one heater andthen the other, in continual succession, and means for guarding the fanmotor against overheating by said heaters.

18. In an electric heating apparatus, the combination which comprises anopen front cabinet, a pair of reflector type electric heaters set tothrow converging beams of heat through the open front of said cabinet,an oscillating fan mounted between and adjacent to said heaters, saidfan as it oscillates being adapted to blow air past first one heater andthen the other, in continual succession, means for guarding the fanmotor against over-heating by said heaters, and vanes for the opening inthe front of the cabinet.

19. In an electric heating apparatus, the combination which comprises anopen front cabinet, a pair of reflector type electric heaters set tothrow converging beams of heat through the open front of said cabinet,an oscillating fan mounted between and adjacent to said heaters, saidfan as it oscillates being adapted to blow air past first one heater andthen the other in continual succession, means for guarding the fan motoragainst over-heating by said heaters, vanes for the opening in the frontof the cabinet, and means for controlling the operation of said heatersand fan.

20. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination whichcomprises an open front cabinet, a plurality of heating means withinsaid cabinet, means to cause a gaseous fluid to alternately flow incontinual succession first in one direction and then another relative tosaid heating means and in heat receiving relation therewith, vanes forthe opening in the front of the cabinet, and adjustable means forcontrolling the setting of said vanes.

HOWARD H. METCALF.

